Protests have been taking place everywhere since the publication of footage of dying guerrilla fighters after a chemical weapons attack by the Turkish army in the mountains of southern Kurdistan. The disturbing images show symptoms of poisoning by nerve gas in the dying fighters. This is indicated in particular by seizures and violent muscular twitching. On Tuesday, the identities of 17 guerrilla fighters killed by chemical weapons in the last two months were also released. In Europe, Australia, Canada, Turkey and the autonomous region of northern and eastern Syria, people are taking to the streets to express their disgust and demand an end to Turkish war crimes.

A protest also took place today in Qamishlo in northern Syria. The march from the Kornish crossing to a Russian base was attended by representatives of various organisations and institutions, as well as many relatives of martyrs. The demonstrators expressed solidarity with the guerrillas' struggle and called on the international public to take action.

One of the participants in the demonstration was journalist Beritan Medusa. When asked about her opinion on Turkish war crimes, she told ANF: "The use of chemical weapons is against all human and ecological values. This is what we are protesting against here today, as well as in other parts of the world. As media professionals, we have to take a stand on this, and so does everyone else. In my opinion, there are still far too few protests. Especially in Europe, actions need to take place to get the OPCW to act."

“THE MEDIA ARE COMPLICIT”

Medusa also criticised the international media for still not reporting on Turkey’s chemical weapons attacks in Kurdish territories: "We are guilty if we remain silent about this. I consider it a human duty to be here today as a journalist. All the major media have obviously gone into the service of the rulers. People are on the streets every day, but the media only report what suits them. In doing so, they are guilty. There are documents and recordings, but they continue to talk about 'allegations'. What allegations? It is all documented and proven. Not only is the Turkish state committing a crime against humanity, the media and human rights organisations that turn a blind eye to this are also complicit. If you remain silent on the use of chemical weapons, you are complicit in this crime."

SPANISH INTERNATIONALIST CALLS FOR WORLDWIDE PROTESTS

Internationalist Tekoşer Lewend from Spain said: "We are demonstrating here today against the use of banned chemical weapons in Southern Kurdistan. The Turkish state is using internationally outlawed weapons and violating martial law and human rights because the whole world is silent about it. The international powers are not stopping these attacks, they are supporting the Turkish state." Lewend called on the international public and the relevant institutions to oppose and stop Turkish war crimes.